VA hiring to help soldiers’ mental health

VA hiring to help soldiers’ mental health

OKLAHOMA CITY– A new program that worked to get mental health professionals to treat veterans has reached its goal.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has met its goal of hiring 1,600 new mental health professionals under the president’s Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families.

Oklahoma City VA Medical Center has hired 19 new professionals toward the goal.

“I am proud of the hard work our staff has completed to bring these new staff members on board,” said Daniel L. Marsh, Medical Center Director. “We are not slowing our efforts however, and will continue to actively recruit for any vacant mental health positions for the future so veterans will get the care they need.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs has hired a total of 1,607 mental health clinical providers, in addition to more than 2,000 people who were hired to fill existing vacancies.

“Meeting this hiring milestone significantly enhances our ability to improve access to care for those veterans seeking mental health services and demonstrates our continued commitment to the health and well-being of the men and women who have served the nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Meeting this goal is an important achievement, but we recognize that we must continue to increase access to the quality mental health care veterans have earned and deserve.”

If you are interested in finding a job with the Department of Veterans Affairs, visit the agency’s website.